MLA - Modern Language Association

In papers, we often find ourselves citing sources that aren't written documents, such as radio interviews, films, and television shows. Choose one of the following commonly used formats from the directory below:

Select an example to view from the following menu:

1. Films 2. Recordings 3. Television or Radio Programs 4. Lectures or Speeches 5. Interviews Conducted by the Writer 6. Surveys Conducted by the Writer

---

1. Films

Note: If citing the work of a specific individual associated with the film, begin the citation with that person's name and an abbreviated indicator. For example: Branagh, Kenneth, perf. Much Ado About Nothing... or Steven Spielberg, dir. Saving Private Ryan...

Format:
Title of Film. Dir. Followed by Name of the Director. Perf. Followed by Names of Central Actors/Performers. Name of Distributor, Year of Distribution.

Example:

High Art. Dir. Lisa Cholodenko. Perf. Ally Sheedy and Radha Mitchell. October Films, 1998.

up to Menu

---

2. Recordings

There are many different formats for different types of recordings. What follows is a fairly standard type of entry for a modern musical recording, but if you are trying to document a spoken word recording or other variations on musical recordings, you might want to consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th ed).

Format:
Performer(s). "Title of Song." Title of Compact Disc. Manufacturer, Year of Release.

Example:

Griffith, Nanci. "The Power Lines." Late Night Grande Hotel. MCA Records, 1991.

up to Menu

---

3. Television or Radio Programs

Format:
"Title of Episode or Program" (if appropriate). Names of Narrator, Director, Performers, or other Relevant Participants. Title of Program. Title of the Series (if any). Name of the Network. Call Letters and City of the Local Station (if any).

Example:

"The Last Place: Diary of a Retirement Home." Prod. Joe Richman. All Things Considered. National Public Radio. 10 Aug. 1998.

up to Menu

---

4. Lectures or Speeches

Format:
Last Name of Lecturer or Speaker, First Name of Lecturer or Speaker. "Title or Description of Speech/Lecture." Meeting and Sponsoring Organization (if applicable). Place of Event, Day Month (abbreviated version) Year of Event.

Example:

Sofos, John. "Food Safety in the 90's." Colorado State U. Ft. Collins, 23 Oct. 1998.

up to Menu

---

5. Interviews Conducted by the Writer

Format:
Last Name of Person You Interviewed, First Name of Person You Interviewed. Personal interview. Day(s) Month (abbreviated) Year of Interview.

Note: If your interview was conducted over the telephone or email, insert "Telephone interview" or "Email interview" in the place of "Personal interview."

Example:

Neuhoff, Christine S. Personal interview. 15 Sep. 1998.

up to Menu

---

6. Surveys Conducted by the Writer

Format:
Name of Survey. Personal Survey. Day Month (abbreviated version) Year of Survey.

Example:

Human Rights Ordinances Questionnaire. Personal survey. 5 Oct. 1998.

up to Menu